KEITH SCHELLENBERG Sadly, one of our more colourful former players and Vice Presidents, Keith Schellenberg, died at the end of last month, peacefully at home in Richmond. He was 90. Described in the press as a 'rambunctious Yorkshireman' and an 'eccentric adventurer and sportsman' he was a swash-buckling flanker who played in our 1st team from 1949, when he was only 20, and went on captain the Club in the second half of the 1950s; he also captained Yorkshire, for whom he played eight times in 1959 and 1960, along with Phil Horrocks-Taylor.

Keith, who for 20 years was the Laird of the Hebridean island of Eigg, also represented Great Britain at the 1956 Winter Olympics, where he captained the GB bobsleigh team and competed in the luge in the 1964 Winter games. His other sporting interests included motor racing, including international vintage car rallies, and powerboat racing. In later years he often agreed to commentate at our Summer Fête and Sports Day, arriving in his vintage two-seater Bentley sports motorcar – always a sure-fire attraction in its own right.

I can do no better than quote from his obituary notice “Keith brought a spirit of fun, love and adventure to so many.” His funeral was a private family affair, with a Service of Thanksgiving to be arranged in March. Our condolences go to his wife Jillian, and their family.

WELCOME And now to more pleasant events – it gives me great pleasure to offer a very warm welcome to our near friends and neighbours from Talbot Park for a really local derby. Our last league meetings were four years ago, when we won the first game 13-6, a close match which Acklam could so easily have won, and then 41-3 in the return. This season they have notched up three victories in eight matches, away at Medicals, who very nearly beat us, at Gateshead and at home to Barnard Castle. In their second match they lost to Consett, but only by five points in 85 scored; other defeats are against Rockcliff, Rovers, Northern and, on Saturday, Novos. Having lost three on the bounce I'msure they will come out all guns blazing.

LEAGUE RUGBY It seems ages since we last stood here to support the boys – at my age three weeks IS an age! - so it's good to get back in the groove. Medicals were our visitors then and what a fright they gave us. Not only are they the first team to prevent us getting a bonus point, they very nearly reduced us to one losing bonus point – a last minute penalty to them, which looked eminently kickable, sailed wide to give us a 22-20 victory. Two cracking long range individual tries, first from Brendan and then Sean Maloney, gave us a 14-8 half time lead, but thereafter Medicals stormed into 14-20 lead before Baggy added a penalty to reduce the arrears. A period of sustained pressure led to a try from a superb driving maul to snatch the win.

And then last Saturday we endured another nail-bitingly close game at Consett, but this time, unfortunately, we came off second best. Our opponents took a 5-0 lead before the two Andys combined to make it 5-7 with all to play for. We were then rocked back on our heels with Consett scored 17 unanswered points. A penalty try reduced the damage to 22-14 at the break but we were soon 27-14. Game over? Not on your Nelly! The scoring sequence was 27-21 (Jamie), 27-26 (Andy Mick after the referee twice ruled we were held up over the line), 27-29 and then in the final minutes 30-29. With the very last kick of the match Baggy's drop goal attempt drifted just wide. It was a terrific game and a great afternoon – the Wasps travelled on the coach for a double-header (just like the days of yore) and relieved the disappointment somewhat by beating Consett 40-12. Spirits were again lifted by a refreshments stop in the fair city of Durham before disembarking at home for Wrighty's 40th birthday bash.

Incidentally the Consett replacements bench included Matty Grimes, which I mention because he is the grandson of a former Boro player in the 50s, John Richardson. John was an architect and very active in Club affairs, including the design of the previous new pavilion and changing rooms which as us older members will recall included the luxury of sunken baths. Tim Wear was talking to Matty’s mother on the touch line and made the mistake of celebrating too much when Baggy gave us that 29-27 lead. She certainly turned the tables at the final whistle. One other point of interest. Consett asterisked 12 of their 18 players as products of their Junior Section. A glance at our team showed 16 of our 18 similarly qualified.

JUNIORS Acklam and Middlesbrough U16s played here on Sunday...and both won! In a fine example of cooperation designed to ensure that our young men got a game of rugby our two clubs pooled playing resources, joining together to make a side (Ackboro United?) to take on the might of DMP. We fell 0-10 behind before swinging into overdrive. Jack Robinson crossed the line twice with Kieran Thompson adding the conversions to take a 14-10 half time lead. After the break two more tries from Jack and one each for Reece McDonald and Josh McPartland, plus three conversions from Kieran took our tally to 40 points. Having opened the scoring DMP also finished it with a try to increase their total to 29. Although local clubs have always been fierce rivals on the pitch, traditionally we've been the best of friends once the final whistle blows. This friendship has reached new heights this season, not just at U16 level but at U17/Colts ages too, where Stockton has joined forces with Acklam and ourselves. Hopefully numbers will increase and such moves will be short-lived but for the moment they should be applauded with gusto.

Our half term Rugby Camp was well attended with more the 50 youngsters attending each day. Thanks to Bernie and everyone who helped to make it such a success. Some of the U12s attended. They have had the very special benefit and great privilege of having Rhys Edwards deliver a training session. Rhys is a level 5 RFU coach, is the Director of Rugby at Loughborough University plus head coach of Loughborough Lightening Woman’s Team who boast over 20 internationals in their squad. In 2015 he coached the Wales Women National Rugby Union Squad who competed in the Six Nations Championship and IRB World Cup. He has also been involved in coaching at Leicester and Gloucester – and now Middlesbrough U12s. What a coup for the youngsters.

CLUB NEWS Just take a look at the Festive Fayre about to explode in December:
Saturday 6th Christmas lunch before Barnard Castle game
Sunday 15th Children's Christmas Party, and
Members Grand Christmas Draw
Tuesday 17th Pie Baking Competition
Thursday 19th Christmas Carols sing-a-long
Saturday 21st Lizard Run, Santa outfits to be worn
Tuesday 31st New Year's Eve Party, with singer, and Ian and Linda's buffet

SPONSORS I am delighted to welcome Gary Dawson of AV Dawson as our sponsor this afternoon. Formed in 1938 by Vernon, Gary's grandfather, he is the third generation of one of the towns most astute and forward-thinking family-founded and run businesses. The company, which boasts one of the largest independent rail terminals in the North, is always keen to assist local causes. A V Dawson has been a great assistance to us in preparing the groundwork for the lights at Tollesby, in association with Ready Mix Tees Valley, Richmond & Brown Joinery and Galliford Try plc, all of whom deserve our gratitude and are here today. We thank you all most sincerely. In the latest Tees Business magazine annual poll Gary was voted the areas eighth most influential and inspirational local businessman. I'm not surprised. He is a chip of the old block; his father, Maurice, was one of the nicest and most pleasant men you could ever wish to meet. It is a pleasure to welcome Gary and his guests this afternoon.

REFEREE'S CORNER This afternoon I am delighted to welcome to Acklam Park two referees. The first team match is being supervised by Andy Hodgson, a local man from Redcar enjoying his 27th year as a referee; he has been with us on many occasions, most recently this season when we played Novos in September. He is a Group Manager in the motor trade. Our second official is Griff Griffiths, who is taking the Wasps/Blaydon game; this is his first visit to Acklam Park, although coincidentally he has been to Talbot Park more than once. I hope they both enjoy their time with us this afternoon.